Convenient solid product dispensing package

ABSTRACT

A car cup holder dispensing box has a hexagonal shape with a dispensing closure including a precision stopping mechanism and is all made of one sheet of paper stock. The dispensing opening may be in the top or in one side of the box. The slider may have stops to limit its movement, and may be guided by the box construction. The slider may be attached to an actuation panel extending down one side of the box, and the actuation panel may also serve as a handle for removing the box from the cup holder receptacle, and for handling the box.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application is continuation-in-part of utility patent applicationSer. No. 10/675,318 filed Sep. 29, 2003 of the same title (nowabandoned).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to product dispensing packages which mayconveniently be stored in a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many vehicles have cup holders in which drinks may be conveniently held.Candy or other small pieces of food, however, are typically sold inflexible paper or plastic bags which are difficult to store in avehicle. Once the packages are opened, the foodstuff is often spilledonto the car seats and can become sticky, or otherwise soil the interiorof the vehicle.

Dispensing containers are known, and prior patents relating to suchdispensers are disclosed in the following patents:

D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,402 granted Aug. 20, 2002

D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,942 granted Mar. 26, 2002

D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,332 granted Aug. 14, 2001

D. T. Hengami U.S. Pat. No. 6,116,499 granted Sep. 12, 2000

C. G. von Stillfried U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,373 granted Apr. 9, 1996.

These containers are generally rectangular, however, with a size andconfiguration such that there is normally no convenient place to storethem in a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one important object of the invention is to provide adispensing package which may be conveniently stored in a vehicle.

In accordance with one specific illustrative embodiment of the inventiona hexagonal package or box for small solid products is provided with aslide which selectively opens and closes an opening in the package; andthe cross-sectional extent of the package is about 2 to 3 inches orabout five to eight centimeters, so that it readily fits into drinkholders normally found in most vehicles.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hexagonal container orbox may have a product-dispensing opening in the top, and a slideintegrally formed from the box material may be selectively moved to openor close the opening. The opening is preferably near one side of the topof the hexagonal box, and the slide extends along the inner surface ofthe top of the box and is secured to an actuating panel extending downthe outside of the box, and overlying one side of the hexagonal box. Theactuating panel is hingedly secured to the slide, and is adhered to aside panel of the box at an area spaced down from the top of the box tofacilitate movement of the slide to open or close the dispensingopening. The actuating panel may also serve as a handle for removing thebox from the vehicle drink holding receptacle, and for passing the boxto others, for example.

Additional aspects of the dispenser box may include (1) stops to limitmovement of the slide, (2) a gripping arrangement on the slide actuatorto facilitate opening and (3) top panels above and below the slide toguide the slide as it is opened and closed. The actuating panel andstops are formed and fit together in such a way to offer preciseoperation as described herein.

Incidentally, typical small products which may be dispensed from the boxwould be candy, chewing gum and medical pills, for examples.

Instead of a hexagonal configuration, the box may be in otherconfigurations such as 5, 7 or 8-sided boxes, or boxes havingequilateral polygonal configuration, scaled to fit into a vehicle cupholder.

While the dispensing opening is preferably in the top of the box, it mayalso be located in one side of the box, normally near the top of thebox.

One advantage of the design is the ease of manufacture, in that thefinal box configuration can be realized by successively folding theextending tabs in an appropriate order, without requiring a separatemanufacturing step of inserting the slider into the box assembly,thereby increasing production speed especially in mass production.

The package of the present invention is most convenient for mothers withsmall children, as when the kids leave the vehicle the box may be placedin the cup holder avoiding accidents later and making a mess on thevehicle seats. Other objects, features and advantages will becomeapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description, andfrom the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid product dispensing package orbox illustrating the principles of the invention, mounted in one of thedrink holders in a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the box of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a blank from which the box of FIGS.1 and 2 is formed, shown from the inside of the box;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 6 shows an alternative blank for a top dispensing box as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 shows a second alternative blank for the top dispensing box shownabove.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the first steps in forming the boxof the second-alternative blank.

FIG. 9 shows the second steps in forming this box.

FIG. 10 shows the third steps in forming this box.

FIG. 11 shows this box flattened for storage until filling andcompleting of the box.

FIG. 12 shows the first steps in closing the top of the box.

FIG. 13 shows the second steps in closing the top of the box.

FIG. 14 shows the box with the top closed.

FIG. 15 shows the loading of candy or other small pieces of food intothe bottom of the box.

FIG. 16 shows the steps in closing the bottom of the box.

Finally, FIG. 17 shows the completed box with the bottom closed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the specification describes particular embodiments of the presentinvention, those of ordinary skill can devise variations of the presentinvention without departing from the inventive concept.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a productcontainer or box 12 is shown mounted in a drink holder recess 14 of anautomobile. Also shown in FIG. 1 are the gearshift lever 16 and a handbrake actuating lever 18.

As shown to advantage in FIGS. 2 and 4, the container or box 12 has aproduct-dispensing opening 20 located in the top of the box near one ofthe sides 22 of the hexagonal box. In addition, a slide 24 is mounted toselectively open and close the product dispensing opening 20.

The slide 24 is hingedly coupled to an actuation panel 26 which overliesone of the sides 28 of the hexagonal box 12. The actuator panel 26 has alower portion 26′ firmly adhered to side 28 of the box, so that theupper portion of actuator panel 26 may be pivoted in and out to moveslide 24 to close and open the dispenser opening 20.

Also visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 are the cut-away zone 42 in the top andthe cut 44 at the junction between slide 24 and slide actuator 26, whichfacilitate opening of the product container or box. Thus, using afingernail, for example, the cut 44 may be engaged, and the slider 24pulled back.

The inner end 24′ of the slider 24 is slightly wider than the outerportion of slider, and has shoulders 38 which engage inwardly extendingportions of the top or tabs secured to the top to form stops. Thesestops prevent the slider 24 from being fully pulled out of the box orcontainer.

FIG. 3 is a view of a blank from which the box or container 12 isformed; and the view is taken from the side of the blank which willsubsequently be the inside of the box. To correlate the construction ofthe box of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 with the blank of FIG. 3, note that the samereference numerals are used in FIG. 3 as are shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Twosides 52 and 54, which are not fully visible in FIGS. 2 and 4, are shownin FIG. 3. The inner top 34′ and opening 20′ are also shown in FIG. 3;and inner top 34′ is adhered in place by flaps 56 and 58. The outer top34 is adhered to the sides of the box by flaps 60 and 62. The slider 24is therefore guided between the two top layers 34 and 34′ as it shiftsbetween the open and the closed positions.

The bottom 64 of the box 12 is adhesively secured to the sidewalls bythe flaps 66 on the bottom 64 and by the flaps 68 at the lower ends ofthe sidewalls. The flap 70 is adhesively bonded to sidewall 54 to closethe sidewall configuration of the box 12.

Incidentally, with reference to FIG. 3, the darker or bolder line 71extending part of the way between side wall 54 and actuation panel 26,represents a cut, while the other lines shown in FIG. 3 represent foldlines.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic showing of an alternative hexagonal box orpackage 82 with an opening 84 on the sidewall thereof. The slider 86 ishingedly secured to the actuator 88, which in turn is adhesively securedalong base strip area 90 to the top 92 of the box 82. The slider 86 mayhave an enlarged end, with shoulders 94 engaging the top 92 to provide aretraction stop.

FIG. 6 shows a blank 102 from which the hexagonal box of FIGS. 2 and 3may be formed. The blank 102 of FIG. 6 is similar to the blank of FIG.3, but the blank 102 of FIG. 6 has been modified to avoid the need forproviding a second opening as shown at reference numeral 20′ in FIG. 3.

More specifically, the sides 104, the bottom 106, and the slider 108 aresubstantially the same as shown and discussed above for thecorresponding parts of FIG. 3. The top 110 is also substantially thesame, but may have two additional box securing flaps 112, while thesimilar function flaps 56 and 58 have been deleted.

However, instead of the apertured inner top closure 34′ of FIG. 3, theembodiment 102 of FIG. 6 has an “unapertured” flap 114 and optionalsecuring flap 116. The flap 114 is folded in before the slider 108followed by the top 110 and the flap 114 provides an inner guide for theslider 108. With the foregoing sequence of tab folding, themanufacturing steps are simplified, and the slider is automaticallylocated in its proper final position. Also, the embodiment of FIG. 6 hasthe advantage of simplicity, as compared with the blank of FIG. 3, andavoids the need to punch out the second opening 20′ as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7-17 show an alternate embodiment blank 118 and steps to erect andfill such a hexagonal box similar in some respects to the box 12described above but offering various improvements. The overallconfiguration of the box was changed to reduce material costs,strengthen the box, and make it easier to manufacture and operatebetter.

FIG. 7 shows the inside (non-print) side of the blank 118 of thehexagonal box. In comparison to the above-described boxes, the inner top34′ (FIG. 3) or top flap 114 (FIG. 6) were largely eliminated, and theside flap 70 reduced in size 50% resulting in material savings.Moreover, a newly-shaped slider 120 has angled stop portions 122 thatoperate more smoothly and without catching on the sides of the box asexplained below. Note the small steps 123, 143 that engage one another.The opening 124 is oval rather than having any sharp corners. Except forthe outer portions the blank 118 is symmetrical simplifying manufacture.

FIGS. 8-11 show the initial steps in erecting the box. The blank 118 isfolded between sidewalls 132 and 134 and between sidewalls 138 and 140(FIG. 8), and then again between sidewalls 138 and 140 and between126/128 and 132 (FIG. 9). The side flap 144 rectangular-shaped glue area146 is adhered to the inside side panel 132, while the inside actuationpanel 128 glue area 148 is adhered to the outside sidewall 142 (Fog.10). Then the box can be pressed flat (FIG. 11) and stored until readyto be filled.

FIGS. 12-17 show the filling process and completion of the final formedpackage. First the top of the box is closed by folding the four (4)flaps 150, 152, 154 and 156 (FIG. 12). Next the slider 120 is folded andthen the top 160 followed by the two flaps 162, 164 (FIG. 13) whichcompletes the top portion of the box (FIG. 14). Then the box is invertedand the contents added through the open bottom and the flaps 166, 168folded (FIG. 15), and the bottom 170 folded including the three (3)flaps 172, 174 and 176 completing the forming of the package.

In closing it is noted that preferred illustrative embodiments of theinvention have been shown and described in detail. Various alternativesand modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, however. Thus, by way of example and not oflimitation, the product boxes may be made using 5 or 7 sides or othersimilar polygonal configurations, preferably equilateral and of sizeswhich are conveniently storable in the drink holders for vehicles. Onearrangement for securing the boxes together has been shown, but otherequivalent bonding arrangements may not be used, with tabs located indifferent positions to secure the box closed. The boxes may be formed ofcardboard, stiff waxed paper, or sheets of plastic, for examples, withthe box materials matched to the intended contents. Accordingly, theinvention is not limited to the specific configurations described indetail hereinabove.

1. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box comprising: abox having a substantially hexagonal sidewall configuration, and a topand a bottom; a product-dispensing opening in the top of the boxadjacent one of the hexagonal sides of the box; a movable slide forselectively opening and closing the product dispensing opening, saidslide having upper and lower surfaces; said slide being hingedlyconnected to an actuation panel extending down a side of said hexagonalbox; whereby said dispensing opening may be opened and closed bymovement of said actuation panel and the resulting shifting of the slidebetween open and closed positions.
 2. A convenient solid productdispensing package or box as defined in claim 1 wherein said actuationpanel includes arrangements for initiating movement thereof.
 3. Aconvenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim 1wherein the box top includes arrangements for guiding the slide, on boththe upper and the lower surfaces of the slide.
 4. A convenient solidproduct dispensing package or box as defined in claim 1 wherein stopsare provided for limiting movement of said slide.
 5. A convenient solidproduct dispensing package or box as defined in claim 1 wherein the boxor container has a transverse extent between two and three inches.
 6. Aconvenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim 1wherein the box or container contains small solid product elements whichare smaller than the opening for easy dispensing through the opening. 7.A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim1 wherein inner and outer top layers are provided, and wherein saidmovable slide is guided to move between the inner and outer top layersas the product dispensing opening is opened and closed.
 8. A convenientsolid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid box is formed from a single blank.
 9. A convenient solid productdispensing package or box comprising: a box having a substantiallyequilateral polygonal cross-sectional sidewall configuration, and a topand a bottom; a product-dispensing opening toward the top of the box; amovable slide for selectively opening and closing the product dispensingopening, said slide having upper and lower surfaces; and said slidebeing hingedly connected to an actuation panel extending along onesurface of said box; whereby said dispensing opening may be opened andclosed by movement of said actuation panel and the resulting shifting ofthe slide between open and closed positions.
 10. A convenient solidproduct dispensing package or box as defined in claim 9 wherein saidactuation panel includes arrangements for initiating movement thereof.11. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined inclaim 9 wherein the box includes arrangements for guiding the slide, onboth sides of the slide.
 12. A convenient solid product dispensingpackage or box as defined in claim 9 wherein stops are provided forlimiting movement of said slide.
 13. A convenient solid productdispensing package or box as defined in claim 9 wherein the box orcontainer has a transverse extent between two and three inches.
 14. Aconvenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim 9wherein the box or container contains small solid product elements whichare smaller than the opening for easy dispensing through the opening.15. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined inclaim 9 wherein inner and outer top layers are provided, and whereinsaid movable slide is guided to move between the inner and outer toplayers as the product dispensing opening is opened and closed.
 16. Aconvenient solid product dispensing package or box as defined in claim 9wherein said box is formed from a single blank.
 17. A convenient solidproduct dispensing package or box as defined in claim 9 wherein said boxhas six sides.
 18. A convenient solid product dispensing package or boxcomprising: a box having a substantially equilateral polygonalcross-sectional sidewall configuration, and a top and a bottom; aproduct-dispensing opening toward the top of the box; a movable slidefor selectively opening and closing the product dispensing opening; andan actuator connected to said slide for manual actuation of the slide;whereby said dispensing opening may be opened and closed by movement ofsaid actuator panel and the resulting shifting of the slide between openand closed positions.
 19. A convenient solid product dispensing packageor box as defined in claim 18 wherein the opening is in the top of saidbox.
 20. A convenient solid product dispensing package or box as definedin claim 18 wherein the opening is in one side of said box adjacent thetop of the box.